Effective 30 Nov 2026, all UK student visa applications must meet higher maintenance funding levels, as set out in the Home Office’s September Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules.

Applicants planning to study in London must now demonstrate at least £1,570 per month, which converts to roughly Sh273,400 using the mid‑market rate of Sh174 per pound on 22 Oct 2026.

The previous London threshold was £1,529 (about Sh266,200), meaning the increase is £41 per month.

For students studying outside London, the required amount rises to £1,203 per month (about Sh209,500), up from £1,171 (about Sh203,900), an increase of £32 per month.

Over a typical nine‑month academic year, the total maintenance requirement becomes £14,130 (≈Sh2.46 million) for London students and £10,827 (≈Sh1.88 million) for those elsewhere in the UK.

The funds must be held in a bank account for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period no more than 31 days before the visa application is submitted; the application date, not the course start date, determines which thresholds apply.

In addition to the maintenance requirement, applicants must pay the standard visa fee of £558 (≈Sh97,100) and the Immigration Health Surcharge at the reduced student rate of £776 per year (≈Sh135,000), both payable in full at the time of application.

Applications submitted on or before 29 Nov 2026 will still be assessed against the previous limits, while those filed on or after 30 Nov 2026 must use the new figures.

The Home Office says the adjustments follow a routine review to ensure the maintenance requirement reflects general living costs and the level of support typically provided to students.